Disorder Treatment Psychotherapies “Talk Therapies” Biomedical Therapies
Electrical Stimulation Biomedical Treatment Surgery Drugs Electrical Stimulation
Biomedical Treatments Double-blind technique has shown many medical treatments to be effective Often used in combo with talk therapies Challenge: blood-brain barrier Currently, psychiatrists or other MD’s prescribe meds
Psychosurgery Lobotomies 1930s – 1950s Currently: Psychosurgeries almost never performed (thanks to drugs) Sometimes used to reduce seizures; to treat OCD Much more precise; not as drastic
Electrical Stimulation Biomedical Treatment Surgery Drugs Electrical Stimulation
Neuroleptics: Antipsychotic Drugs Finding correct dosage difficult, but these help many live more normal lives Haldol (Haloperidol) & Thorazine (Chlorpromazine) “Old” antipsychotics No longer first choice for treatment; side effects very serious Dopamine antagonists; reduce positive symptoms Risperdal (Risperidone) & Clozaril (Clozapine) “New” antipsychotics Impact dopamine (antagonist) & other neurotransmitters May reduce positive and negative symptoms
Drugs and Hospitalization
Emptying of Mental Hospitals
Side Effects of Neuroleptics Dryness of mouth, involuntary jerking movements Weight gain, sexual side effects Long term side effect: tardive dyskinesia Uncontrollable repetitive movements (e.g. facial tics)
Antidepressants SSRI’s – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors Prozac (fluoxetine) Zoloft Paxil
Prozac, Paxil Zoloft Work by blocking serotonin reuptake.
Mood Stabilizers Lithium – stabilizes bipolar symptoms Very effective (7/10 benefit from long-term use) Mechanism not well understood
Anxiolytics: Antianxiety Drugs (also “tranquilizers”) Benzodiazepines Xanax, Valium, Librium Depress central nervous system (CNS) activity (like alcohol…so don’t mix!), produces calming effect May lead to dependence & withdrawal unpleasant Criticism: does not solve underlying problem…
Electrical Stimulation Biomedical Treatment Surgery Drugs Electrical Stimulation
Electrical Stimulation rTMS ECT – Electroconvulsive Therapy Treatment of last resort for depression 80% of patients improve w/in 2 weeks Side effect: temp. memory loss rTMS - repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation VNS – Vagus Nerve Stimulation DBS – Deep Brain Stimulation (used for OCD) DBS VNS